LANDISVILLE — Shatara Parsons pulled zero punches Friday night when asked what Central Dauphin’s goal this girls’ basketball season.
“We want gold,” Central Dauphin’s talented senior low-post threat said.
The Rams missed out on District 3-AAAA gold last season, falling to Wilson in the championship game.
Coach Karen Hicks’ squad returns plenty of talent from that team, including Jenasia Daniels, Jayneisha Davis, good-looking soph Tori Lesko and especially Parsons, a reigning PennLive Big 15 first-team pick who got her season off to a high-flying start on Friday.
Against back-to-back L-L League champ Lancaster Catholic — coming off a pair of 30-win seasons and a trip to the PIAA finals two years ago under legendary coach Lamar Kauffman — Parson dominated on the blocks.
Try these numbers on for size: 17 points, 19 rebounds and six blocked shots — five in the first half alone.
And that’s Night 1, Game 1 for Parsons and her mates, who survived 33 turnovers and still won 56-41 over one of the top Class AAA programs in the state.
CD will go for its first gold on Saturday night, when Parsons and Co. take on Dallastown for the Hempfield tip-off championship trophy.
Parsons is hoping the Rams will go for bigger and better gold come playoff time in February.
Here’s an interview with Parsons after CD’s win over Lancaster Catholic, chatting about her battle with Crusaders’ standout forward Caroline Scarff in the paint and the Rams’ quick start.